Chapter 1897 Enemy or Friend

This is the last darkness before dawn, and it is also the darkest hour of the night.

Because when the sun is about to rise in the east, the sun below the ground level shines on the upper atmosphere two to three kilometers above the earth, which scatters the original starlight, and because the upper atmosphere is thin, the scattered sunlight cannot pass through the dense atmosphere at the bottom.

In this way, there is no starlight on the earth, and it cannot receive the scattered light from the sun, so it becomes the darkest moment of the night.

In the darkness, the soldiers on duty in Jiaxing City stood guard dutifully, their eyes carefully staring into the distance.

Suddenly, a light spot appeared in the distance, then another light spot appeared, then another light spot, and finally a series of light spots appeared.

The old corporal leader on duty knew that those were torches, which meant that a soldier was approaching Jiaxing City.

So, the old corps leader immediately turned around and kicked the young man in the team, urging, "Someone, there is a soldier on the official road in the distance, I don't know if it is an enemy or a friend. Quick, Xiao Hei, run fast, go and report General."

"Hey, let's go." The recruit Danzi Xiaohei immediately turned around and ran down the city, shouting as he ran, "General, general, a soldier has arrived from outside the city."

Soon, all the generals in charge of guarding the city gate learned of the news, and quickly sent someone to gallop on horseback to report to the prefect of Jiaxing.

"What? A soldier from outside the city came straight to the city gate?"

The news spread to the meeting hall of the magistrate's yamen, which caused a burst of panic. Both the civil servants and the military officials were not calm. General Wang and General Zhao, who had slapped their chests before, also lowered their heads to study the teacup pattern. As for the chief Zhao Zhifu on the board was even more frightened by the news, and the tea in his hand was trembling.

"Are the soldiers and horses outside the city an enemy or a friend?" Prefect Zhao was a prefect after all. Although his voice was a little trembling, he immediately asked the key point.

The soldiers and horses outside the city are nothing more than these two types, and the possibility is very high; if it is an enemy, it is Japanese pirates. After all, a village in the north of the territory was attacked by Japanese pirates. Two hours ago, Zhao Chongcai sent General Zhao to Yangchengwei to ask for help, and the time was almost up.

"That's right, are the soldiers outside the city the Japanese pirates who came to invade, or the reinforcements who came to help?"

Hearing Zhao Zhifu's questioning, the officials in the hall reacted, yes, don't panic, the soldiers and horses outside the city are enemies or friends, it is not clear yet, once it is confirmed that they are Japanese pirates, there is no need to panic not too late.

Moreover, the possibility of reinforcements is even greater. The Lord Fu Zun sent people to Yangchengwei for more than an hour to ask for help. Yangchengwei is about 50 miles away from here.

"Ahem, back to the mansion, back to the adults, I don't know if it's the Japanese pirates or the reinforcements coming from outside the city. The defenders on the city only saw a string of torches a few miles outside the city, and they shouted that there are soldiers and horses coming. gone."

The messenger blushed in embarrassment.

"Look at what you're doing, and report it if you don't investigate clearly?" Several officials in the hall frowned and reprimanded.

"No, don't blame them. Report the news as soon as you see someone coming to ensure that the news reaches the city as soon as possible and give the city time to prepare. They did a good job. If you wait to find out whether it is Japanese pirates or reinforcements outside the city, the day lily will be cold." Already!"

Zhao Zhifu waved his hand, not only did not punish the messengers, but praised them, affirming their notification.

"I think the soldiers and horses outside the city must be reinforcements. Calculating the time, it has been about two hours since General Zhao went out of the city to ask for help from Yangchengwei. According to the footsteps from Yangchengwei to our Jiaxing City, it is almost just right. It is impossible for the Japanese pirates, according to the news from Suzhou, there are only a few hundred remnants of the Japanese pirates left in the end, and they fled in all directions, and those who fled to our Jiaxing mansion must be only a small group of Japanese pirates, how can they rush to attack my Jiaxing city."

The head of the military room Zhang got up and analyzed.

"Yes, yes, I think it is also a reinforcement. Our Jiaxing City is not inferior to Suzhou City. Besides, when the Japanese invaded Suzhou, the Lord Fuzun dispatched troops to garrison Jiaxing City. Now there are more than 2,000 elite soldiers in our city. There are at least 2,500 troops for the guards, and counting the various guards in the city. The remnants of the Japanese pirates can also attack the villages. If they come to attack my Jiaxing City, they will kill themselves!"

"Exactly, with the arrival of reinforcements from outside the city, our Jiaxing City can rest easy. Not to mention the remnants of the Japanese pirates, even if all the Japanese pirates from Tuolin's lair are called in, there is nothing we can do about our Jiaxing City."

Many officials have echoed, deeply agree.

"Hmph, I hope it's the remnants of the Japanese pirates. My long spear has long been starving and thirsty, so I can just quench its thirst."

When everyone guessed that the soldiers and horses outside the city were reinforcements, the potbellied General Wang got up with his stomach full and said arrogantly.

"However, I also hope it's the Japanese pirates. The boys under my command have been yelling for a long time. The Japanese pirates are here. I just took them out of the city to fight. It can be regarded as a release for them. The rest of their energy has nowhere to vent. It's for nothing to take advantage of the ladies of Hualou." The thin General Zhao also raised his head and chest.

"Okay, you don't need to guess, you all follow me to the gate of the city. Whether this army that came from afar is an enemy or a friend, we will know at a glance." Zhao Zhifu waved his hand to stop everyone's guessing, Commanded everyone.

"Your Majesty, a gentleman does not erect dangerous walls. You are the master of a mansion. You must not be in danger."

Director Zhang was the first to stand up and object when he heard that Zhifu Zhao wanted to take them to the city gate, with a look of concern for Zhifu Zhao.

"Yes, if you don't know whether the soldiers outside the city are Japanese pirates or reinforcements, you should not take the risk to go to the city gate. After the city gate officers and soldiers confirm whether the outside of the city is an enemy or a friend, then you can do it again. It’s not too late to decide.”

"Yes, if you can't wait for the city gate officers and soldiers to distinguish between friends and foes, then it is enough for us to go. Your honorable body, Mr. Fuzun, it is better not to risk your life. Your Excellency can just stay in the middle of the government office and command .”

"That's right, Mr. Fu Zun only needs to command in the yamen, and leave the soldiers and horses outside to us."

A group of officials stepped forward to express their loyalty, and advised Zhao Zhifu not to risk his life, but to be in command of the government office.

"You don't need to persuade me anymore. This is the time when Jiaxing is on the verge of death. As the lord of Jiaxing, how can I hide behind! There is a personal conquest by the royal driver, not to mention that I am a small magistrate. It is my duty to protect the environment and the people!"

Prefect Zhao waved his hand and insisted.

After finishing his speech, he glanced at the corner of the meeting hall, Sima Shuli, who was in his fifties, was writing vigorously, and nodded with satisfaction.

"Your Majesty does not avoid danger, and he is a model for the common people. He is really a role model for our generation. We must follow your example."

A group of officials stepped forward to flatter.